I am glad to meet you on Pali list again. Thank you for the feedback.
you wrote:
' There are two stems.
The word jhåna has been explained as being derived from "jhåyati", to
contemplate, or to think closely of an object. Or else "jhåyati" can
mean to burn (from another stem, jhåpana, Vis. IV, 119), since the
jhåna-factors which are developed burn the "hindrances" (akusala cetasikas)
away.
In order to understand the meaning of jhaana we can use both of the above
meanings. As you know word associations were used by the commentaries to
explain meanings and linguistics was not the aim. It does not matter that
there are two stems and that these are used to explain meanings.
D: as you may have seen already from my message to Piya , I am looking for
sutta sources in order to overcome my doubt that the Jhanas 'burn' the
hindrances' , instead of
assuming the lack of them as a precondition. 'To think closely of an
object ' fits to the 'figurative meaning of absorption "to completely grip
(one's) attention" (On-line Etymoloy), doesn't it? I understand that
Dhammasangani and VisM . are expanding the meaning in order to provide
deeper explanation, but this -I suppose - may as well be a source of
misunderstandings
Nina: Also, jhaana can be seen as samatha but also as vipassanaa by which
the three characteristics of realities are understood. The Atthasåliní
(Expositor, Part V, Ch I, 167), with regard to contemplation of the object,
uses the term upanijjhåna, and explains this as twofold: as closely
examining the object, which are the meditation subjects of samatha; and as
examining closely the characteristics of impermanence, dukkha and anattå.
Insight, the Path and Fruition are called "characteristic examining jhåna"
(lakkha.na
upanijjhaana).
D: I think that the state of (first) Jhana allows to do vipassana , however
I.M.H.O. , that means to switch to Satipatthana , i.e. leaving the context
of the last path link.
However I agree with you that 'By understanding the function of the
jhaanafactors we shall penetrate more deeply into the meaning of jhaana' ,
in particular because Satipatthana (of D.N.)
involves the contemplation of the Jhanas.